Tensioning device for crocheting.



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Application led July 19, 1916. Serial Ifo. 110,174.

To all fwfwmct may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK A STEWART Huerrns,

g'citizen'of the United States, re-

sidingv at Pine Grove, in the county of ing close or open work and thusvobviating` the necessity of winding the thread about the finger.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a device of the above described character in which the tensioning means is adjustable to obtain the desired amount of tension for the particular kind of work.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which is in the form of a ring to permit the'convenient l application of the device to a linger, the ring being formed with guide fingers which are arranged at an angle to each otherto cause the thread when placed. therein to be disposed diagonally of the ring and thus presenting a greater bearing surface for the tensioning device.

`nother object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which contains the desirable features of simplicity, durability and efiiciency and furthermore a device which may be manufacturerat nomi* nal cost;

@ther objects of the invention wul appear as the specification is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a top plan View of the device showing the saine when in applied position upon the hand; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device.;- Fig. 3 is an edge elevation of the device. I

Referring to the drawings in detail, my invention comprises a metal finger ring l which is lined with a rubber coating 2, the rubber preventing the slipping or rotating of the .ring upon the linger when in use. This ring may be made of any suitable sizeand of such a width as to substantially support the tensioning means. The ring l is provided upon its opposite edgeswith radilallyextending fingers 3, the fingers upon .fy each edge being arranged in spaced relation to each other to provide a groove 4 in which the thread :is adapted to be placed.- rlhe lingers upon one edge Vare disposed at an angle or diagonally of the fingers upon the remaining edge so that when` the thread is placed within the grooves i the same will be disposed diagonally of the ring for a pur-r pose which will be hereinafter described.

Riveted to the` outer peripheryrofthe ring and at one side of thefingers 3 is one end of a leaf spring 5, the spring extending cir-l raltentea nee. saisie.

cumferentially of the ring and having that portion adjacent its secured end bent outwardly as at 6. The remaining portion of the. spring is inclined gradually toward the ring as at 7 so as to normally engage the surface of the ring at a point between the lingers 3, the free end of the spring 5 being bent outwardly as at 8, to facilitate the ready insertion of the thread upon therinfr. vIt will be seen from the foregoing construction that the free end-of the spring resiliently engages the outer periphery of the ring at a point vbetween the lingers.

'in crocheting or knitting patterns of different designs in which the close or open stitch is used, it is necessary that the tension of the thread according to the character of the pattern which is being worked, that is to say, in crocheting or knitting open work such as a shawlor the like, only a minimum amount of tension is required in holding the thread while the same is being' worked, whereas in crocheting close work such as' lace or the'like, a maximum amount of tension is required in orderl to hold the thread taut so as to Cause the loops of the thread to snugly engage each other as wili be understood. To obtain this desirable tensioning means, I provide the leaf spring 5 with a screw 9 which is threadedly mounted within the spring and has its inner end rotatably mounted within the ring. screw extends through the arch portion 6 of the spring and has its outer end provided with a milled head 10'. It will be seen from this `construction and arrangement that upon rotating the screw l0 within tif;

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into the grooves L whereupon the spring 5 will exert its tension upon that portion of the thread which is disposed between the fingers 3, thereby holding the thread under tension during the use of the same. The guide fingers 3 being arranged-diago- Anally or at an angle to each other, the thread y struction may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. n

Wliat is claimed is 1. A. tensioning device comprising a ring vhaving a series of radial fingers formed on opposite edges thereof and offset with relation to each other, a leaf spring secured to the ring beyond the lingers and having its free end resting upon the surface of the ring between the fingers, and a spring adjusting element engaging the ring spring intermediate the secured-end of the spring and the adjacent finger.

2. A tensioning device ineluding'a ring or like member, having a series of radiai fingers formed on opposite edges thereof, and offset with relation to each other, and a leaf spring secured to the ring beyond the fingers and having its free end resting on the surface'of the ring between the diugers, that portion of the spring between l the fingers being of less width than .the similar dimension of the space between the fingers, whereby to permit the application of the thread beneath the free end of the spring7 and to a position between the fingers. a

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRANK STEWART HUGHES. 

